Hangman chuckled for a while. "I have a feeling that this was some kind of subliminal request for help." he smiled.
After another sip of his cocktail, he leaned back still smiling at Raven. "Well... since you're in charge here, I believe
that you get detailed reports on any ship that comes and goes, am I right?"
Raven nods proudly.
"Okay, but what gives you the idea, that me of all people, could be helpful?"
John pulled out a small data pad from a jacket pocket. "Does a ship named Metal.Slug ring a bell? When he was last here, with a load that put us well over the top on preparations, he mentioned 'Regards from the Hangman'."
John pressed a catch on the data pad, extracting a micro storage chip. This he placed on the table and pushed it towards the Hangman. "Just in case it does, I have a list here of some additional preparations for the station's defense." he said. "Take a look, and if you think your friend can handle this order in a short time, it would be greatly appreciated."
Hangman knew that someone on the Freeport would figure out his connection to the Captain of the Metal.Slug sooner or later.
He leaned forward and took the chip.
"I see you have done your homework... It's true. I had my reasons for this generosity. Let's leave it at that..." he said.
Hangman unpacked a datapad from his jacket and reviewed its contains. A few moments later, without saying a word,
he put the datapad back into his jacket, grapped his cocktail, stood up and downed it in one single gulp,
while Raven still waits for an answer. After Hangman exhaled deeply, to show that this cocktail was a strong one, he looked at Raven again.
"Consider it done." he replied and placed the glass on the table.
"Thanks for the drink. Expect another ship heading this way." Hangman turned around and walked away.
He have to make an important transmission...
John watched the Hangman leave. He downed his beer and then another shot of whiskey. His eyes scanned the room. Every single person he saw, male and female, were there of their own free will. All them volunteers who wanted nothing more than to have their home and freedom from oppression and occupation.
His thoughts turned to the woman who had replaced his boss when he'd been killed during the shelling. A decade of deep space had hardened this San Savage woman. He admired that he always knew where he stood with her though. She'd tell you flat out what she didn't like, same as a space marine drill instructor. Their feelings were agreed on one thing about this situation. Both preferred peace to bloodshed. The same could be said of the big boss, Administrator Summers.
"Not the kind of leader one would expect, but he's doing the job," he mumbled to himself.
A young rather long haired girl was standing in the opening of MaCool's Tavern,
Leaning left on a crutch, a insecure look on her face.
It was that girl that was seen flying outside in the Navy Guardian.
The stuttering one, going under the name Carrie Dababi.
Walking past the bar, asked quietly for a water and sat down in a corner of the bar.
The crutch against the side of the bench she was sat down on.
Rubbing a little over her left leg as she sat down.
A cold glass of water arrived some moments later, given by the bartender.
The girl shortly gave him a fainth smile "th- thanks"
Picking up a little white carton box out of her bag she carried with her,
flips out a small white pill which she quickly swallows with a few gulps of water.
Jeremy slipped into the bar, his predominantly white attire stikl spotless as always. Seemed a mystery, that wasnt so mysterious actually. He scanned the bar, and then spotted Carrie. He stopped by the,bar, ordered a root beer, and then made his way to Carrie, aliding in beside her.
"So. What brings you all the way down here, and in a 36th Soaring Ducks Guardian no less."
He grabbed his now-delivered drink and took a swig.
Shortly glanced at Jeremy, returning her attention back to her glass of water afterward.
Sighed quietly "erm.. l- lets just eh.. lets just say I'm taking a s- step back from things?"
'Why is everybody always so curious?' Carrie was wondering to herself.
It was that boy she met quite some time ago, back in the 'smuggling' days.
Remembering some moments of that drink she had with him on Beth. Station in Pennsylvania.
"I eh.. I was told to look after th- the ship." Hoping it wouldn't rise more questions. "It's not like I eh.. like I joined the Navy or a- anything though."
Taking a little swig from her water. "N- Not really sure h- how long I will stay though" "The erm.. station owner wa- wasn't too happy to s- see me with this ship."
Her hands were a little shaky as she put her glass of water against her lips again.
Looking around the bar, checking everybody if they were formilure.
Having seen there wasn't anyone she knew from the 'no so good' times,
she let out a short sigh of relief, a fainth smile appearing.
"Dane has alot of things on his plate. I don't blame him. I woluldn't have bee too spy, had your transponder not reflecting your name, or had I not heard that cute stutter."
He smiled.
"And I kinda doubted you would join the Navy Carrie. You're too sweet and innocent to be a killer..."
He sighed.
"And yeah, watching it for someone..." He shakes his head "That is fishy. But ok, I'll believe that."
When she smiled, he grinned.
"Try to smile more, ok? With the state of Sirius today, every smile I see maked the universe a bit brighter."
He swirled his soda around a bit.
"And I hope you're comfortable here on Freeport One."
Fidgeting with her fingers, the hands under the table. "I.. I'll try smiling some m- more"
Frowned a little letting out a quiet sigh "B- But please stop about the 'c- cute stutter'?"
Thinking to herself...
'How could I possibly smile when I can't even figure what all happened lately'
'Aleesha, Alexis, Felicia and Mason. The LSF now... and that's just all the recent events.'
'I hope Terrance is still able to find out what I asked him, if he doesn't then well...'
'Then I don't really know what to do. At least I'm far away from Liberty for now,'
'Away from all those people.'
Glances shortly at Jeremy's empty glass letting out another sigh, looking around the bar. "Th- The Freeport is fine, I guess. S- Sometimes a erm... sometimes it's a b- bit of a chaos."
"M- most erm.. people seem a- alright though, I suppose."
He motioned for another glass, then turned back to Carrie.
"Most people here on One are good people in a bad situation. Their alright..."
He sighs.
"Bit this isnt a safe place Carrie...honestly, I would feel safer in Liberty or even Bretonia. The Omegas are very dangerous Carrie...so...be careful."